Interplay Talks Finances, The Matrix, and Sequels

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With new operating funds and a more console-heavy approach, Interplay hopes to rebound from 2000.

By IGN Staff

Interplay Entertainment yesterday announced its year-end results, with an ending operating loss of $8.4 million, a much better loss than 1999's operating loss of $32.8 million. While that's a dramatic comeback, it's still a loss. Interplay's stronger focus on console games, along with the acquisition of The Matrix license, should pique gamers' interest.

"We are extremely pleased what our year over year operating results reflect Interplay's operating turn around," Interplay Chairman and CEO Brain Fargo said. "While the results of the 2000 holiday season business fell short of our expectations due to a shortage of Sony PlayStation2 hardware and a slow PC market, the best is yet to come in 2001. We plan to release eight major console titles in 2001, six on the Sony PlayStation2, one on the Microsoft Xbox, and one on the Nintendo Gamecube. We will have titles such as Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, RLH, Galleon and Hunter for next generation consoles and Neverwinter Nights for the PC, just to name a few."

Broken down by platform, Interplay's revenues for last year were 74% PC, 14% console, and 12% OEM, royalty, and licensing.

As was already announced, Interplay plans to deliver RLH (Run Like Hell) and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance to PlayStation 2 for fall 2001. Interplay also already announced that it acquired the rights to The Matrix, a multi-console game that will coincide with the release of the second Matrix movie in 2002, but added new insight into the game.

"The Matrix, which is already in development, is very much an action game for the consoles," Brian Fargo, Interplay's CEO, said. "It will be very much like a Metal Gear Solid. With regard to the movie, integration between the film and the game will be a total collaboration between Shiny Entertainment and the creators of the movie. The first Matrix game will be released on multiple next-generation platforms day and date with the release of the film in holiday 2002. As for the online rights, AOL-Time Warner split up the platform rights and the online rights; we don't have the straight online rights to the game. But that's not to say that our game won't have online components inside of it."

Another source told IGNPS2 that The Matrix is an action-oriented game with a little RPG twist. Fargo also hinted at sequels to Baldur's Gate and RLH on PS2 for 2002.

"A lot of the focus for next year [2002] is of a derivative or sequel nature. With games like Baldur's Gate or Neverwinter Nights and RLH, we expect potential sequels of those games in 2002."

Lastly, Fargo added that the company still has solid plans to create online games. "Expect to see some partnerships with other companies in regard to our online games, and since our RPGs are really our background, expect to see some of those go online."